Sebastopol, CA--More complex than other applications in the Microsoft
Office Suite, Access requires careful database planning and custom
programming using the VBA language to bring out its true power and
flexibility. Unfortunately, when using software products with graphical
interfaces, novice (and sometimes even experienced) programmers are so
concerned with how something is done that they frequently overlook the
core concepts and techniques necessary to create effective database
applications.

"Databases are complicated objects and so a basic understanding of
database design is vital in order to create useful and cost-effective
database applications," explains Steven Roman, author of the just
released third edition of Access Database Design & Programming
(O'Reilly, US $34.95). "After all, once the database application is
complete, the interface components only play a small role, whereas the
design continues to affect the usefulness of the application."

"Don't touch your PC until you have taken the time to rough out a
design of your database," Roman warns. "I would strongly urge that you
spend some time with pen and paper planning out the design and content
of the tables in the database before even touching the computer. You
can waste a lot of time redesigning existing Access tables, not to
mention the consequent redesign of dependent queries, forms, and
reports."

From creating an initial design to asking Microsoft to reinstate
support for DAO, Steven Roman shows you how to create the most
effective database applications. Access Database Design & Programming
takes you behind the interface, focusing on the general knowledge
necessary for Access power users or developers to create effective
database applications.

"An excellent well written book which I strongly recommend."
--vbbooks, Valassis Enterprises, August 17, 1999

"The author tackles a difficult subject--relational database design--in
a unique way. He uses simple language (bless him!)...Roman continues to
demystify database terminology with simple explanations for anomaly,
entity, integrity, and so on. Obviously, he has both an appreciation
for database design and an artful ability to use the fewest words
possible to get his point across. (His editor must, too.) Again and
again he reduces previously complex definitions into brief, informal
comments...Relational theory doesn't come easy to many people, but this
book should certainly take the pain out of the learning process...My
recommendation for this book is this: if you need to advance beyond the
Wizard-produced database, buy it, read it, and then reread it. If you
learned database design and programming by hit or miss, buy it, read
it, and then keep it for reference."
--Susan Sales Harkins, DevX, August 1999

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